Anwar happy Malaysia making its Palestine views heard at Apec meet

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the country’s participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit was “generally good”, and that Malaysia made its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict loud and clear.

He said Malaysia was able to assert its views despite not all members of the 21-nation bloc agreeing with Putrajaya.

Malaysia, however, found allies in Brunei and Indonesia in calling for an immediate truce leading to a ceasefire in Gaza.

“I am happy because we had the opportunity to express ourselves at this international conference, and what is important is that we were able to articulate our position and engage privately with leaders on some of these issues.

“Nothing was done in a combative mood, but with the spirit of understanding,” Anwar said in his wrap-up presser at the end of the Apec summit today.

Anwar said credit should be given to both Brunei and Indonesia for making their sentiments clear in their speeches during the meet.

He also complimented positive developments between the United States and China amid rising bilateral tensions.

The prime minister said Malaysia has secured RM63.02 billion in investments.

He said various trade missions to the summit brought in RM8.3 billion, while RM54.72 billion was secured via one-on-one meetings.

Anwar earlier met with Microsoft, Google, Enovix, TikTok and TPG representatives.

He was accompanied by International Trade and Investment Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil to the APEC summit.

The summit kicked off on November 14 and ended today.

The prime minister also held bilateral talks with Peru, Australia, Vietnam, Canada, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Japan, and signed the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework second-pillar “Supply Chain” deal.

He said substantial headway was made in negotiations over the third and fourth pillars of the framework –“Clean Economy” and “Fair Economy” – on the sidelines of the Apec summit. – The Vibes, November 18, 2023